The South Side Neighborhood Association recently presented its first Good Neighbor Awards to recognize outstanding service on behalf of a neighborhood. Among the participants were (from left) the Rev. Chris Hill, representing First Free Methodist Church as an award recipient; Donna Carlson, representing recipient Robert Holquist; Jenna and Brian Munoz, representing themselves and Brian and Sarah McDonald as recipients; and Steve Zacherl, a city resident whose experience more than a year ago was the subject of one of the Good Neighbor Awards.

An Oil City volunteer group committed to "looking out for each other" has honored six of its own for their efforts to strengthen their neighborhood.

The South Side Neighborhood Association, organized in July 2007 to foster a "safer, friendlier and more caring place" to live, presented three Good Neighbor Awards at a recent community dinner.

They are the first presentations in what will become an annual event, said Leah Gesing, president of the association.

"We did it because we believe it might inspire others to be good neighbors," Gesign said. "I'm hoping that spirit catches on throughout our neighborhoods.

The Good Neighbor Award recipients, chosen by nomination from South Side residents, are:

The two couples, nominated by Dave Zacherl and Connie Schwabenbauer, were instrumental in helping to save the life of Steve Zacherl who was attacked and beaten by four males on June 27, 2007, near his South Side home. The McDonalds and Munozs quickly called 9-1-1 for help, offered initial medical help to Zacherl and stepped forward as witnesses. Their attentiveness, said the nominators, prevented the victim from dying and helped prosecute the attackers in court.

"Every citizen in Oil City should wish they had neighbors such as these," wrote Dave Zacherl and Schwabenbauer, siblings. "They were not afraid to come forward and testify at the trial, even after people told them not to get involved and to just stay out of it. It was their involvement that saved Steve's life and put the criminals in jail."

The church, located on Wilson Avenue in the city's East End, is an example of "a good neighbor is one who helps others and acts in caring ways," wrote Bonnie Schoeppner who submitted the nomination.

Meeting rooms within the church are offered at no charge to a variety of organizations, including the South Side Neighborhood Association, Girl Scouts and other groups, said Schoeppner. The Free Methodist denomination has also provided free space to the Siverly Neighborhood Association that meets in its church on Willow Street.

In a neighborly fashion, the church offers a clothing give-away, a food pantry and more to anyone in the community. On a global scale, The Free Methodist congregations generate money to help provide safe drinking water to people in need.

"They truly take seriously the teaching of Christ when he said, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'," said Schoeppner. "They demonstrate their care for the community not only in word but also in many good deeds. They are truly a good neighbor."

Donna Carlson nominated Robert Holquist for the Good Neighbor Award in recognition of selfless service on behalf of his neighborhood.

Holquist, said Carlson, mowed the lawn around a vacant house at the corner of Moran and Seventh Streets all summer in an effort to keep the neighborhood tidy.

His volunteer effort, low-key but all-inclusive, reflects the "spirit of the Good Neighbor Award," said Gesing.

He and his wife, Elaine, live on West Seventh Street.

The awards dinner, said Gesing, capped a "successful and busy" 18 months for the organization. The agenda included the 814 Initiative for area youths, Safe House program, graffiti removal project, two movie night-outs for teens, greet-and-walk outings and more.

The next meeting, open to all interested persons, is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Free Methodist Church on Wilson Avenue.